Automated log tracking and sorting for sawmill conveyor

博尼费罗磨坊的作品苏尔圣。玛丽和苏尔学院正在合作一个应用研究项目，以帮助Boniferro的原木分类过程自动化。Boniferro的三个锯木厂中的每一个都专门砍伐特定质量的原木。输入的原木被有选择地从在所有锯木厂之间运行的传送带送入每个锯木厂。磨机操作员决定哪种磨机最适合每种原木，并通过手动开关有选择地将原木从传送带上取出。除了重复拨动开关应力损伤的潜在健康问题外，手动分拣过程还将操作员的注意力从其他工作中吸引过来。苏尔学院提出了一种自动分拣解决方案，该解决方案将取代繁琐的手动拨动开关，让磨机操作员有更多时间从事其他工作。一种自动化的解决方案将通过消除高质量的原木错误地进入伐木机时代价高昂的错误来提高原木分拣的准确性。在这个概念验证项目中，苏尔工程技术学院的学生在专家教师的指导下，将在学院的自动化实验室以比例模型演示该系统。学生们将参与到这个项目的各个方面。该项目的部分资金来自加拿大自然科学和工程研究理事会的赠款和Boniferro Mill Works的捐款。资助计划的目标是将学院的知识转移到加拿大的行业，同时帮助解决公司特定的制造问题。苏尔大学自动化专业的学生将有机会在克里斯·比彻姆教授的指导下磨练现有技能并开发一些新技能。John Coccimiglio在苏尔学院管理应用研究。Paul Larsen是项目经理，Rhonda Davies是业务发展官。博尼费罗锯木厂是一家专业生产硬木制品的现代化锯木厂。这家锯木厂自1948年以来一直在运营，有几个不同的所有者，包括魏尔豪泽加拿大公司。自2003年以来，该磨坊一直由Boniferro Mill Works拥有和运营，通过持续的二次研究和公认的森林管理，从一种有价值的、可再生的和可持续的森林资源为市场生产高质量的森林产品。

Boniferro Mill Works of Sault Ste. Marie and Sault College are collaborating in an Applied Research project to help automate Boniferro's log sorting process. Each of Boniferro's three sawmills specializes in cutting a specific log quality. Incoming logs are selectively fed into each sawmill from a conveyor that runs between all of them. The mill operator decides which mill best suits each log and, via manual switches, selectively knocks logs off the conveyor. Besides the potential health concerns around repetitive toggle switch stress injuries, the manual sorting process draws the operator's focus from other duties.Sault College proposes an automated sorting solution that would replace the tedious manual toggle switches and give the mill operator more time for other duties. An automated solution would increase log sorting accuracy by eliminating expensive mistakes when high quality logs mistakenly end up in the woodchipper. In this proof-of-concept project, Sault College Engineering Technology students guided by expert faculty will demonstrate the system on a scale model in the college's automation lab. Students will be involved in all aspects of the project. The project was partially funded through a grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and with contributions from Boniferro Mill Works. The goal of the grant program is to transfer knowledge from the College to Canadian industry while helping to solve a company specific manufacturing issue. Sault College students specializing in automation will have a chance to hone existing skills and develop some new ones while under the supervision of Professor Chris Beauchamp. John Coccimiglio manages applied research at Sault College. Paul Larsen is the project manager and Rhonda Davies is the business development officer. Boniferro Mill Works is a modernized sawmill specializing in hardwood products. The sawmill has been in operation since 1948, with several different owners, including Weyerhauser Canada. Since 2003, the mill has been owned and operated by Boniferro Mill Works and produces high quality, forest products for the market from a valuable, renewable, and sustainable forest resource through continuous secondary research and recognized forest management.